I put 3092 miles between December 2013 and Aug 2014 on my first set of Conti GP4000s with only 1 puncture. I replaced that set with a second pair of Conti GP4000's and am confident I will get the same results.
These are my most recent tire experiments. I bought them in 700x25 sizing. Mounted on my 23mm rim, they measure about 28mm wide. Previous tires this year include Vittoria Rubino Pro III Slicks, Michelin Pro4 Service Course, Veloflex Open Corsa, and Vredestein Fortezza Senso All Weather.
Things I like
- They're durable and can take a beating but feel every bit as fast as slick tires
- Reflex material is a nice bonus on black tires - shine a line on them and they're very visible in the dark
- Comes in colors
- Comes in even wider 700x28 size (I don't know how wide these measure)
I don't hear much road noise when riding on these, and there's no buzz even when riding at higher pressures. I can see why people say this is probably the best tire you can get without putting in too much thought or fuss.
My only experience was with the previous GP4000S, and I was unfortunate enough to have suffered the poor sidewall problem. I've had the GP4000 SII for about 1,000 miles now in the last 3 months and they've done a superb job for all-around riding in California dry and wet conditions.
A testament to these tires taking a beating - I rode on a fully-deflated tire for 26-miles, stuffed only with leaves to get me to the finish line (stuck in the middle of nowhere at 8PM, no cellphone service, with no tubes left). The tire was worse for wear and had a lot of bruising, but there weren't any cuts or fraying, and my rear wheel was still fine despite that abuse.
I'm plenty happy with the 700x25 tire but would like to see just how the 700x28 tires fare.
I like riding on this tire, but after about 1200 miles of paved paths and public roads my LBS pointed out it's no longer safe to ride. The front tire casing weakened and is bulging all along the sides. My mechanic wouldn't put more than 60 PSI when he installed upgraded rims today. I now have to put something else on for a century this weekend.
Last year during in late June, I went from Gatorskins to 4000's (both wereare 23mm) and picked up at least a mile per hour in my average speed. After riding about a tenth of a mile I realized the ride felt better (I hadn't even been thinking about it and it just occurred to me).
I don't get the distance on them that others say they get, I usually get about 3,000M. Yesterday, I had a sidewall issue...I got a blowout. It was the first time I had any sidewall issue as others have described and I have gone through about 3 or 4.
Overall, I have been very pleased with these tires.
Using a 25c in back and a 23c up front. Love the ride of the 25c. Overall performance is great. No complaints.
These tires have been on my bike for 2000 miles and are still going. I have had one flat and they roll super fast, best tires I have owned.
Handles cornering better than the other puncture resistant tires I had been using x4 years. Good value, although it seems to me that all tires are a bit overpriced. Better appearance than the last set of tires I used, with rust colored sidewalls.
I haven't had near the success with these tires that others have. I bought 700x25c's and have experienced a much higher than typical number of flats. The tires seem prone to cuts. My rear tire is shot with less than 1000 miles.
I've ridden road bikes for years - all over the USA and Canada. I've been through all the tires. This one suits me best. Best feel. Best all around wear history. Easy of removal and replacement. I like the high TPI count and I think it makes a difference. Great all purpose tire - touring, city, hard pack.
It would of been nice to known that new inter tubes were recommend by the tire maker.
These tires were recommended to me by multiple people and I must say, I guess the Chili compound is the difference. They are super light, super fast and super durable. They've been great for the first 1000 miles, no flats and less ware than I anticipated.
Reasonably priced, great tire.
I'm a long-time user of Gatorskins and a friend suggested I try these instead. I have to say I was really surprised just how much better one tire could seem compared to a very similar one. Much more comfortable ride, and rolls noticeably better due to less chatter on the road. I've had one slow-leak flat in 1000 miles from a sharp piece of wire, but that would have gotten any tire. I've also read others complaining of sidewall failures, but I suspect they're maxing out the pressure (or more) ignorantly assuming that will make them faster. I'm 185 lbs. and ride these at 90psi front and 110psi rear and I can't imagine making them harder and harsher could provide any benefit - more likely the opposite.
I commute daily through NYC so I am a little tough on my tires but a good amount of riding is loops around central park. After about 2500 miles (220lbs so I may wear quicker than others) I can see the tire has reached the end of its life coupled with 3 flats in two weeks. The dry grip is decent. Wet grip is average. May come back to if on sale but not thinking they are worth the full price
After 1500 miles on the black and also on the version with a reflective strip, I am very happy with these tires. The current research supports the use of a 25mm tire with a slightly wider rim for better traction, slightly lower resistance, and better comfort.
These tires are sticky. So much so that if you are closely drafting another rider, his/her rear tire will pick up some road debris and throw your way.
The reflective strip tends to start getting unglued at the last 1/4 inch overlap, that the only issue I've experienced.
I have been using the Conti GP 4000 for 3 years. I average 3000 miles a year and change it twice a year, just as a precaution. I go out without worrying about punctures. I highly recommend these tires
Bought the 400 S II on reviews from the web and haven't been disappointed at all.
Roll well and the ride is good also. I weigh over 200 pound and so far the tires are wearing well. No flats in about 800 miles. Will but again, great tires. Put on a set for a friend.
These tires are great. Just like my last contis. They have held up very well so far on the rough roads of Wisconsin. I've got about 300 miles on these and they barley show any wear. The only issue is the reflective tape on the sidewall is coming off in spots. It's not painted on, it's tape and I had hoped it would stay on longer.
This is my fourth favorite tire after Vittoria Open Corsa, Schwalbe Ultremo V-GuardOne, and Vredestein FTC's. I have ridden all the top end tires made to date, and feel they are all very nice tires with small diffences that set them apart. Continental as always has the longest wearing tread life of all of them, which would be nice, but as of yet I have never been able to see that life as the sidewalls always fail before I make it that far. The only other minor complaint(taken with a grain of salt) is that compared to the other tires listed conti 4000s series tires have a slightly stiffer ride, but not bad whatsoever. No tire is perfect but these are my experiences thus far.
Durable and easy rolling. Lots of miles don't seem to bother these tires. Not many flats either
Don't have too many miles on these yet, but they feel pretty grippy, and so far no cuts from over 100 miles of urban riding. I prefer these to the Rubino Pros I was riding previously, but take that with a grain of salt I'm not the most discerning rider.
